Medical Practice Assistant-Southeast Dallas Health Ctr (Dallas, TX, US) - Parkland Hospitals

Interested in a career with both meaning and growth? Whether your abilities are in direct patient care or one of the many other areas of healthcare administration and support, everyone at Parkland works together to fulfill our mission: the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to our care. By joining Parkland, you become part of a diverse healthcare legacy that’s served our community for more than 125 years. Put your skills to work with us, seek opportunities to learn and join a talented team where patient care is more than a job. It’s our passion.

Primary Purpose

Accountable for providing patient centered care and operational support to the medical team to ensure an optimal patient experience. Coordinates activities in the clinical areas and facilities a smooth patient flow. Assists with patient data collection, performs select screenings and completes medical office functions relevant to area/assignment.

Education

•None.

Experience

•Must have three years of customer service experience, preferably in a medical/healthcare/health insurance setting.

•Patient registration experience preferred.

•Prefer completion of course work towards an accredited medical terminology.

•Medical Office Assistant experience or training a plus.

Equivalent Education and/or Experience

•Completion of a Parkland Workforce Development Training Program may substitute for the required education and experience.

Skills or Special Abilities

•Must be able to work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver patient/customer services that exceeds patient expectations as evidenced by patient satisfaction scores.

•Must be able to demonstrate competency required as applicable to specialty area.

•Must have demonstrated communication skills to include above average verbal skills (heavy public contact) and written skills. Bilingual skills preferred.

•Must have familiarity with diagnostic ICD-9 CM coding and HCPCS-CPT4 procedure codes.

•Must have working knowledge of medical terminology.

•Must be able to demonstrate basic clerical skills and working knowledge of standard office equipment.

•Must be detail oriented and have sharp analytical skills to resolve registration issues as related to multiple groups including third-party payors, physicians, patients and the system.

•Must be able to solve problems within the guidelines of established policies and procedures.

•Must be able to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities and rapid change.

Virtual Care Only:

• Must be able to work collaboratively and optimally with patients with serious health conditions and barriers to care.
• Must be able to recognize and escalate clinical decision making to appropriate team members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Must demonstrate strength in documenting within an electronic health record with ability to effectively problem-solve when faced with decision-making challenges and escalate as appropriate.
• Confident with technology, specifically electronic medical record, video encounters and computer applications.

Responsibilities

1.Proficiently performs patient service activities in coordination with clinical team, including but not limited to:

-Ensures patient and family comfort, safety, privacy and confidentiality at all times.

-Adapts work methods to specifically accommodate the population-specific care needs (physical, psychosocial, cultural, age/developmental) of each patient.

-Greets patients and families making them feel welcome and wanted.

-Assists patients and families with directions, inquiries and information as requested. Ensures needs are addressed satisfactorily.

-Keeps patients and families informed of wait times and any other circumstances that may impact the visit.

-Stays cognizant of clinical/area needs to facilitate patient care and flow.

-Assess patient experience at the end of each visit to determine if patient needs were met.

-Virtual Care Only:

*Proactively outreaches patient utilizing motivational interviewing, demonstrating effective and caring communication to develop patient trust and establish and maintain relationships to gather information, encourage patient self-interest in healthcare, and follow up on patient established goals.

*Assists patients and families with health system navigation, making appointments, patient advocacy, determination of community resources to reduce barriers to care, and support set-up and initiation of electronic communication modes (email, MyChart, etc.).

2.Coordinates clinic/area activities and facilitates business processes according to standards.

-Performs pre-visit activities to gather patient information from internal and external service or entities to ensure information is available to the clinic team for the visit.

-Checks the patient into the clinic. Correctly identifies patient prior to performing tasks. Reviews and updates patient account to ensure registration and coverage is current and complete.

-Confirms or verifies coverage as needed. Identifies and refers patients for financial counseling as appropriate.

-Performs upfront cash collections; receives, verifies and posts money transactions following Parkland cash management policies and procedures. All monies must be accounted for through the patient accounting system and/or point of sale system. Verifies and completes daily reconciliations that ensure cash transactions are handled accurately and deposits made daily.

-Assists with the process of internal and external appointments, referrals and information retrieval. Schedules appointments in accordance with clinical team directive and patient desires/availability.

-Performs charge capture and charge reconciliation to ensure encounters are complete and closed in a timely manner.

-Virtual Care Only:

*Collaborates with multidisciplinary team to improve patient access to care and reduce avoidable organization utilization.

3.Documents (paper or electronic) completely, accurately, legibly and timely.

-Ensures applicable documentation is obtained for registration and patient visit. Provides explanation for all requested forms to ensure patient understanding.

-Performs data entry/documentation of patient care intake information.

-Virtual Care Only:

*Performs data entry/documentation of patient encounter.

4.Assists with maintenance of clinic supplies and equipment.

-Assists with stocking and inventory of supplies, as appropriate.

-Keeps appropriate persons informed of status of supplies and equipment.

-Completes requisition documentation for supplies, equipment and services, as applicable.

5.Practices patient safety measures and in association with site leadership:

-Complies with proper hand hygiene (hand washing/hand sanitizer gel/foam use).

-Applies or practices proper infection control methods.

-Identifies, corrects and/or reports safety hazards at the time of discovery.

-Identifies and/or facilitates maintenance problems with equipment, initiates requests for work order, and removes from patient care area, as appropriate.

-Informs Environmental Services when additional cleaning activities are needed.

-Virtual Care Only:

*Elevates critical incidents and information regarding any quality-of-care concerns to multidisciplinary team.

6.Participates in performance improvement and quality initiatives.

-Participates in the unit performance improvement initiatives.

-Meets expected performance quality measures as outlined for area(s) or responsibility.

7.Based on operational need, may be required to perform role in an alternate Parkland location.

Job Accountabilities

• Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact the area. Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.

Parkland Health and Hospital System prohibits discrimination based on age (40 or over), race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, national origin, marital status, political belief, or veteran status.As part of our commitment to our patients and employees’ wellness, Parkland Health is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.